This Hidden Gem Beachfront Resort in Turks and Caicos Scores on Location, Views and Service

Stepping onto Ocean Club Resorts’ pristine grounds in Turks & Caicos felt like entering another world, where I'd left my everyday routines and mundane worries far behind.

There are 40 main islands and cays in Turks and Caicos Islands, of which only nine are inhabited. (Providenciales, Grand Turk, North Caicos, South Caicos, Middle Caicos, Salt Cay, Pine Cay, Parrot Cay, and Ambergris Cay.)

This archipelago consists of two island groups: the Turks Islands and the Caicos Islands. It’s believed that the Turks are named after a species of Indigenous cactus, a Turk’s head cactus, resembling a fez; while Caicos means 'string of islands' in the Indigenous Lucayan language. Known for the third largest barrier reef in the world and crystal clear waters, Providenciales, locally called ‘Provo’, is the country’s third largest island and is located on the northwestern part of Caicos islands.

Its crown jewel, the 12-mile long Grace Bay Beach is part of the Princess Alexandra National Park and connects to Leeward Beach in the east and Bight Beach in the west. The entire stretch of shoreline encompasses the area from Blue Hills to Northwest Point, and the Northwest Point National Park. The luxurious, yet affordable Ocean Club Resorts are located where the powdery soft white sand beaches lead down to turquoise crystal clear waters.

While TCI is not known for being the most budget-friendly, it does offer more cost-effective options compared to its competitors. It is home to some of the best reef snorkeling in the world. It's no wonder that Grace Bay Beach consistently earns accolades as the world's top beach.

Ocean Club Resorts comprises two deluxe beachfront properties – Ocean Club West and Ocean Club (East,) the sister property– conveniently located just one mile apart on Grace Bay Beach. This 4 star resort has everything from sunbathing to thrilling activities like kiteboarding and parasailing; Ocean Club Resorts offers it all. Both offer spacious suites (with many having been recently renovated and some currently being updated). Ocean Club (East) and Ocean Club West give you easy access to shops, dining, and complimentary non-motorized water sports such as kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. I found that Ocean Club East, on the eastern end of Grace Bay, offered a quieter, secluded atmosphere, ideal for honeymooners and solo travelers.

I stayed at the Ocean Club West which stands next to big chain hotels and is one of the best locations on the Grace Bay Beach stretch. Between the large pools (a total of three freshwater pools including built-in poolside barbeques), an on-site fitness center equipped with Cybex treadmills and elliptical machines, three tennis courts (including pickleball), on-site spa services at Spa Tropique offering 'Sea & C' brightening facials and 'Knotty But Nice' Swedish massages, three restaurants (Cabana Bar & Grill, Solana & Opus Wine Bar & Grill) and free Wi-Fi throughout; there were many ways to keep busy during my four days there. And, let's not forget about the off-site excursions that the concierge can arrange for you. I highly recommend the horseback riding adventure through the crystal-clear waters.

Picture waking up to idyllic unobstructed beach views right from your bedroom, drifting off to sleep to the soothing sounds of the waves, and walking to the water, only a few steps away from your suite. When I wanted to travel between the Ocean Club (East) and Ocean Club West, I took advantage of the convenience offered by the resort’s free shuttle service, thanks to their ‘Stay at One, Play at Both’ policy, making it seem like a two-in-one vacation experience.

The local grocery store, Graceway Gourmet, is a short 10-minute walk, and the resort offers the option to borrow a buggy to carry your groceries. Alternatively, I could easily walk to nearby shops and restaurants like the Regent Village Shops, Salt Mill Shops, and the Ocean Club West Plaza.

The resort’s direct beach access with its coral-origin sands and mesmerizing turquoise waters was a place of tranquility, relaxation, adventure, and one of the main reasons why I’d booked a stay. On your own beach day, just look for the cute signature pink umbrellas, and Beach access comes with comfortable lounge chairs and complimentary towels.

At Ocean Club West, each beachfront condo-style property is privately owned, which means that the interior decor varies to suit each owner's tastes. However, the overall interior is Caribbean-style characterized by bright pastel furnishings, light fixtures that replicate dangling squid tentacles, seashell displays, open-air designs, and natural materials like bamboo and rattan; that create a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere. The decor mirrors the warmth of the island and made me feel like I was staying in a cozy yet luxurious home.

I stayed in a 1600 sq ft, 2 bedroom, 3 bathroom suite that can accommodate up to 8 people. My suite served as a plush home base that came equipped with modern conveniences including a full kitchen with an oven, a fridge, and the ultimate long vacation essential: a washing machine and dryer.

The bathroom was pretty with pastel wallpaper, and framed photographs on the wall showcasing the boundless ocean vistas. Here, practicality and luxury are combined with two showers in two separate bathrooms and a double vanity sink offers convenience and style in the third.

Strategically placed ceiling fans provide a continual, soft breeze that makes the room feel cool and refreshing while fending off the Caribbean heat. Starfish and coral-shaped bedside lights give a soft, marine glow as a whimsical reference to the sea's wonders. This room harmoniously blends the Caribbean aesthetic with functionality; promising a retreat of both comfort and coastal charm.

The rooms are currently under renovation, and set to become even more appealing when the work is completed. While there's no elevator, the staff will gladly help carry your luggage to your room.

Whether you're a couple, a family, or a large group, Ocean Club West offers 68 suites of varying sizes to meet your needs.

The beachfront Cabana Bar and Grill on the east property offers breakfast, lunch and dinner, specializing in grilled and fried dishes. Solana, located on the west property, boasts ocean-facing dining perfect for sunset views and serves Asian-inspired cuisine -the dragon sushi roll was my favorite. No visit to Turks and Caicos is complete without indulging in conch. If you're open to it, The chewy, flavorful meat from conch shells is a must-try! Conch is represented on the Turks and Caicos flag as well which displays a queen conch shell, the spiny lobster, and the Turks head cacti. Choose from a wide array of conch dishes, including cracked conch, conch ceviche, and conch fritters from the menu.

For a more upscale seafood experience, Opus Restaurant, on the east side is the go-to spot. I was there during lobster season, so I fully took advantage and ate everything from lobster ravioli to grilled lobster and lobster benedict. Don't miss the island's other must try dishes like boiled fish and grits, Johnny cake, lionfish, locally caught snapper and grouper from Grace Bay.

As if there weren’t enough pros already, I was curious about the sustainability initiatives at Ocean Club Resorts. Not only were these sister resorts the first resorts in all 40 islands of Turks & Caicos to receive the Green Globe Certification, but they recently started a partnership with Wayaj; a leader in eco-friendly hospitality, to reduce their environmental impact.

As part of this initiative, Ocean Club Resort guests can measure their trip's carbon footprint, using the Carbon Footprint Calculator available on their website and offset it with beach clean-ups and marine life protection. Staying in a resort that cares about the planet just as much as it cares for its guests is certainly a plus. The hotel also actively supports local nonprofits and invites guests to get involved, such as Pack for Purpose, which donates school supplies to nearby schools, and Potcake Place, which takes care of rescued dogs.

A vacation can be transformed from enjoyable to genuinely extraordinary by outstanding hotel staff. As soon as I arrived, Keisha Gilbert, the Manager of Guest Relations, went above and beyond to make me feel welcome. She set the tone for my entire trip when she gave me a warm hug instead of the standard handshake that I am often greeted with. This friendly gesture reflected the genuine Turks and Caicos warmth of the people and hospitality of the Ocean Club Resort staff.

During one of my solo lunch outings, I could not help but overhear a family's conversation at the next table praising the service they'd received during their stay. It was a testament to the staff's dedication and their ability to create an environment where every guest feels valued and appreciated.

From the moment I interacted with the reception staff to my final moments at the resort, I was consistently impressed by their sincere warm hospitality and attention to detail which created an atmosphere that truly felt like a home away from home. Whether it was the front desk, housekeeping, or wait staff, the team ensured I felt at home and well-cared for.

They also provide a 24 hour security guard on-site, which offers peace of mind for guests arriving late at night. You really felt taken care of, especially as a solo female traveler like me.

For those looking for a night on the town, the restaurants and bars in and near Grace Bay Beach are just a 15 minute walk away. These include the Shisha Lounge, located in the Regent Village shopping plaza in Providenciales, a lively hookah bar and lounge along the Grace Bay strip. Locals tend to head out around 10pm after a stop at other venues such as Blu Bar & Lounge to pre-drink, where a live DJ also spins.

Aziza, a Moroccan-inspired restaurant just across from Casablanca Casino, features nightly DJ entertainment and has become a hotspot for locals, tourists, and even celebrities, including Canadian rapper, Drake. The neighborhood feels both lively and safe at all times – I even felt safe walking back to the resort after dark, but I recommend you take a taxi (there are no Ubers in TCI) as it can get pitch black, and may be hard to navigate if you’re planning to walk.

Here are some places to visit in the area if you’re staying at Ocean Club West:

Visit Noah’s Ark Beach Club on Sundays where locals like to hang out. This floating bar is located off of Half Moon Bay Lagoon in the Atlantic Ocean and is open from 10am till sunset. To get there hop on the daily ferry service for a 10-minute boat ride from the Blue Haven Marina. The cost is $30 for a roundtrip. Or if you have the luxury, you can charter your own yacht or jet ski instead.

Go to the iconic Da Conch Shack Restaurant, located beachfront at Blue Hills Beach renowned for its seafood, particularly the freshest conch on the island, it's one of the top restaurants to try this delicacy. Head there on Wednesdays, a light show and live music begins at 8pm. with the 'We Funk Junkanoo Band,' from 5pm. till 12am.

The Island Fish Fry, held every Thursday from 5:30pm to 9:30pm at PTV Stubbs Diamond Plaza, is a quintessential Turks & Caicos experience. Expect incredible food, artisan crafts, and live cultural performances to celebrate “all things Turks and Caicos” at this weekly event.

At the nearby Grace Bay Club, the newly opened Infiniti Restaurant & Raw Bar, is an upscale signature restaurant with some of the freshest seafood around. It is the only gourmet oceanfront restaurant on Providenciales and offers romantic Grace Bay Beach views. It's a buzzing hotspot with live performances throughout the week and known for celebrity sightings.